Moser - Garden builder: complete plans for creative outdoor projects you can build

If you build the projects in this book according to the listed dimensions and wood species, construction should be relatively easy. You might run into difficulty, though, if you choose to adapt the plans to change the sizes of the projects. The problem here will stem from the fact that nominal lumber sizes are different than the actual sizes. Moreover, the actual sizes may vary depending on the lumber grade and species you buy.

The word nominal means in name only. Although experienced woodworkers and carpenters are well aware of this fact, it can surprise beginning woodworkers to learn that a construction 2 4, for example, actually measures 1/ 3/ inches. The reason for this has to do with the milling of the lumber. Although a 2 4 may arrive for its final finishing as a true 2 4, once it is planed down for sale, its dimension changes to its actual 1/ 3/-inch dimensions.

This is true of pretty much any lumber you buy, no matter what the species. The difference between nominal and actual dimensions varies depending on the lumber grade and type, but it is always there. Fine-quality hardwoods have a very predictable variationa 1 4, for example, is always / 3/ inchesbut on rough-sawn cedar, the variation can be less precise. A 1 8 plank of rough cedar is assumed to be / 7/ inches, but in actuality might be / 7/ inches. And because many of the projects in this book are built with cedar, you have a good chance of running into measurement differences.

The moral here is that you will need to double check measurements for the parts when building the projects in this book. Weve sized the elements based on standard assumptions for actual board sizes versus nominal, but there is a good chance that the rougher grade lumbers may be different than the normal actual dimensions.

While were still discussing nominal board measurements, we need to consider board lengths as well. Dont assume a 6-foot board measures 6 feet long just because its in the 6-foot bin at the lumberyard. Often, board stock measuring less than 8 feet are drops, or leftover cuts from a longer board. So that 6-foot board may measure up to an inch short. Because many of the projects featured in this book were designed to minimize material waste, measure the board lengths to make sure youre getting the full measurement.

Now lets say youve run the numbers, and youve implemented the formulas provided. You arrange your stiles and rails for assembly. You even clamp them all together. But when youre finished gluing and screwing the structure, the result is anything but in square. Theres a quick trick to make sure all your angles are 90 degrees, and it goes like this: simply measure from one outside corner diagonally to its opposite corner, then repeat this same technique for the other two corners. If their measurements are the same, the structure is square. Be aware that the same technique can be used to square up a structure that is a lready assembled. In this case, bar clamps can be used to rack the structure into square.

Although pressure-treated lumber may be used to construct many of the following projects, it is not advised to use pressure-treated lumber to construct planters and raised gardens that will be producing edibles. For those in which food will be grown, choose naturally rot-resistant wood species that are readily available to you. For us, that means rough-sawn western red cedar. If you dont already know what choices are available to you, rely on the expertise of the professionals at your local lumber yard for advice.